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Opinion

Chanticleer

Today

Cost-cutting King wants to be Eight Billion Dollar Man

Westpac’s Peter King has broken with tradition to provide a firm cost-cutting target. But there’s risk in driving more change in a bank that’s been through a lot.

  • James Thomson

Investors hungry for Westpac’s cost plan

It will kick off the bank reporting season with a result that will focus on two key issues for the sector: the release of bad debts and costs. 

  • James Thomson

Proxy reforms would hurt investors

The government’s proposed crackdown on proxy advisers would harm the provision of independent research that makes markets function better. 

  • James Thomson

This Month

Why NZ will be next in bank shrinkage

Banks will next week release profit results that could include big write-backs of provisions put in place for COVID-19 worst-case scenarios. But the future of banking is uncertain.

  • Tony Boyd

April

Sorry doesn’t come easy at AMP

AMP chairman Debra Hazelton didn’t shy away from tough questions at the company’s annual general meeting, but her attempt to paint AMP as a victim of circumstances jarred. 

  • James Thomson
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Former APRA board member joins Pollination

Geoff Summerhayes says there’s ‘nowhere to hide’ on climate as he joins the climate change advisory firm, which is launching a new fundraising round to finance its international growth.

  • Tony Boyd

Australia must prepare for next year’s COVID-19 challenge

Retired Air Vice-Marshall John Blackburn says Australia must prepare for next COVID variants and that means building local mRNA manufacturing capacity. 

  • James Thomson

Longo to head ASIC’s recovery mission

New ASIC chairman Joe Longo is in a much better position than his predecessor James Shipton.

  • Tony Boyd

Iron ore price not the full story of Fortescue’s defining quarter

It’s hard to take your eyes off the iron ore price but Fortescue’s March quarter is likely to be remembered for several other key events. 

  • James Thomson

Woolworths’ volatility warning applies to all investors

Chief executive Brad Banducci remains confident about the group’s outlook but says it’s tough to gauge the state of underlying demand. 

  • James Thomson

Warren Buffett wins big as Apple amazes

When Warren Buffett bought into Apple five years ago, there was a real debate over whether it was a growth or value stock. Five incredible years later, the labels don’t seem to mean much.

  • James Thomson

NBN’s monopoly getting stronger

The NBN Co needs to make a profit to recover its $59 billion total build cost. But does that mean it should be allowed to suppress competition?

  • Tony Boyd

RBA should resist inflating inflation fears

Inflation talk dominates global financial markets. But central banks should only raise rates when they see signs of actual, sustained price increases. 

  • James Thomson

The good news in Coles’ big sales drop

Coles boss Steven Cain is looking past a March quarter sales drop at the return of shoppers to the nation’s shopping centres. 

  • Updated
  • James Thomson

How Solomon Lew landed Richard Murray

When Mark McInnes announced his departure from Premier Investments, there was only one person Solomon Lew wanted for the job: JB Hi-Fi’s Richard Murray. 

  • Updated
  • James Thomson
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Big super wins performance debate

The federal government is wisely changing its performance measurement benchmark for super funds to encourage continued investment in infrastructure and property.

  • Tony Boyd

AMP’s good governance benchmark

A group of three independent directors employed by AMP Capital played a critical role in AMP losing control of a $5 billion property fund. It’s a sign of good corporate governance at a time when AMP is under enormous pressure.

  • Tony Boyd

Bigger bid won’t make Tabcorp deal a sure thing

Chairman Steven Gregg flushed out a bigger bid for his wagering division without even granting due diligence. But lifting its offer from $3 billion to $3.5 billion doesn’t mean Entain is over the line.

  • Updated
  • James Thomson

A peek at Musk’s brilliant, bumbling, blue-sky vision

Tesla’s March quarter earnings call gave investors a glimpse of Elon Musk’s big vision – when he wasn’t on mute. 

  • James Thomson

Mystery surrounds Stanwell CEO’s exit

What is it about CEOs of coal-fired power companies? Two days after AGL’s Brett Redman quit, the head of Queensland’s largest coal-fired power company also did.

  • Tony Boyd